topic Re: Arlo and Alexa - false alarms in Partner Integrations

Arlo and Alexa - false alarms

Retired_Member — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 04:43:14 GMT

I recently set up the Arlo skill in Alexa to get trigger announcements on my Echo device. When there are genuine triggers Alexa makes an announcement 😀.

However, from time to time Alexa makes false announcements (when I know there has been no trigger) and there is no alert on my iPhone nor any recordings in my library.

(Could it be possible that the false announcements occur when there is movement captured outside my defined Activity Zone???)

Alexa false motion notifications

Chrisbeams — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:27:41 GMT

Hi for some reason Alexa is announcing motion when the app is not, I do see that the camera has detected movement but I guess there’s some timing issue as the app wont alert but Alexa will?

Re: Alexa false motion notifications

corihollis — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 11:15:32 GMT

I don't know what's wrong but motion detection announcement on my Alexa app (Android) is disabled. I just get the Something is not working banner. Perhaps the update will fix this.

Thanks!

essaydune

Re: Alexa false motion notifications

ShayneS — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:44:24 GMT

Hi @Chrisbeams

Do you have Push Notifications enabled within your Modes > Rules for the camera(s) you wish to receive notifications from?

Re: Alexa false motion notifications

Chrisbeams — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 08:50:55 GMT

Yes I do have them set, it seems car head lights are the issue every night. I have sensitivity down to 20 and made the activity zone smaller but still every car sets it off.

Re: Alexa false motion notifications

ShayneS — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 16:49:07 GMT

Are you updated to the latest version of the Android app V3.0?

Re: Alexa false motion notifications

Chrisbeams — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 17:34:42 GMT

i am on the iphone, so notifications work fine to it but the question is

1. why does alexa alert when the phone does not

2. why do car lights at night set it off anyhow

Re: Alexa false motion notifications

ShayneS — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 18:45:36 GMT

Hi @Chrisbeams

I'll do my best to answer your questions. Do you have the latest version of the Arlo mobile app (v3.0) installed on you iPhone?

Vehicles are large & can reflect a much larger amount IR. Also (PIR) detection requires side-to-side motion across the field of view to trigger. Passive infrared works by detecting changes across a few vertical zones in the field of view. You might want to try adjusting your cameras angle to avoid these vehicles as much as possible.

You can also adjust the cameras sensitivity to see if you can achieve your desired results. Additionally, you can utilize activity zones to filter out the unwanted notifications.

Re: Alexa false motion notifications

Chrisbeams — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 08:53:33 GMT

Hi yes latest version and reduced sensitivity and reduced activity zones a lot. The question is more about why does Alexa alert (false) when the app doesn’t.

Re: Arlo and Alexa - false alarms

ShayneS — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 16:17:58 GMT

Hi @Retired_Member

Thank you for the info, May I ask which troubleshooting steps you have performed so far? Thanks

Re: Arlo and Alexa - false alarms

Retired_Member — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 20:02:32 GMT

Hi,

I have tried:

Redefining the camera’s activity zone; and
Disabling and re-enabling the Alexa skill.

Neither worked.

Re: Arlo and Alexa - false alarms

ShayneS — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 23:01:23 GMT

If you like, you can try to remove the camera from Settings > My Devices then Re-add it. Other than this TS step, I would like to refer you customer support so they can investigate this issue.You will find several options for contacting support in the provided link. Arlo Tech Support

Re: Arlo and Alexa - false alarms

Retired_Member — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 23:07:33 GMT

I have been in touch with Arlo Technical Support (case #42362164) but they have no solution.

I will try removing and re-adding the device and will report back...

Re: Arlo and Alexa - false alarms

Retired_Member — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 02:32:19 GMT

I have removed and re-added the device.

Issue is still unresolved - false alarm triggered on Alexa device when there is movement captured by Arlo camera which outside of defined activity zone (no notification or recording in Arlo app).

Re: Arlo and Alexa - false alarms

ShayneS — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:46:12 GMT

Hey @Retired_Member

I have escalated your case & someone from support will be reaching out to you as soon as possible. I have provided your escalations number here: 42406360

Thank you

Re: Alexa false motion notifications

Phaggard11 — Sat, 08 May 2021 23:52:21 GMT

How can the app version be bad when the app works but the Alexa is not.

Re: Arlo and Alexa - false alarms

Retired_Member — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 06:16:58 GMT

Hi,

This ticket was raised some time back and I have not heard back.

Do you know if there has been any update?

Thanks

Anthony

Re: Arlo and Alexa - false alarms

ShayneS — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 18:21:18 GMT

Hi Rubes,

Thank you for the update. I have looked in to this and there is a known issue regarding this report. I will provide an update as soon as possible. Someone from support will be reaching out to you as well.

Thank you!

Re: Alexa false motion notifications

Jfried112 — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:30:17 GMT

I’m having same issue… it appears Alexa does not notice the smart subscription activity zones

Re: Alexa false motion notifications

Chrisbeams — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:39:06 GMT

Yeah i just had to turn Alexa off as it was so annoying..